Heavy Duty Trucking's editors have been named finalists in four categories for the 64th Jesse H. Neal Awards, recognizing excellence in business journalism.

The 10-part series Trucking in the 21st Century was named a finalist for Best Series. The series of articles explored the technologies that are impacting the trucking industry and what it means for the success of our readers’ businesses.

The series consisted of feature articles written by Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge, Executive Editor David Cullen, Senior Editor Jack Roberts, Equipment Editor Jim Park, and Technology Contributing Editor Jim Beach, as well as additional online content.

HDT was also named a finalist in the Best Instructional Content category for three articles offering how-to advice. Recognized articles were:

• 6 Steps to Thwart Cargo Theft by David Cullen

• Outside Service: Evaluating the Options by Denise Rondini

• 4 Ways to Control Creeping Maintenance Costs by Jack Roberts.

Best Subject-Related Package finalist honors go to the Alt-Fuels Update that ran in the September 2017 issue and was written by Deborah Lockridge, David Cullen, and Jim Park.

Lastly, Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge is a finalist in the Best Commentary/Blog category for three of her monthly print magazine editorials:

• Is Your Lease-Purchase Program a Problem?

• A Whirlwind of Last-Minute ELD Preparations

• It's Time to Think About Hourly Pay

The Jesse H. Neal Awards were created in 1955 by what was then the American Business Press and today is Connectiv, to recognize and reward editorial excellence in business publications. They are named after the association's first managing director, who remained active in promoting the B2B industry throughout his life. Heavy Duty Trucking's editors have earned 27 Neal Awards over the years and 35 additional finalist/certificate of merit honors, as well as the Grand Neal.

All entries are put through a two-tiered screening process in order to reach the final judging. Entries are scored in three areas: journalistic enterprise, extent of service to the field, and editorial craftsmanship. A board of 12 to 18 professionals from the business journalism world goes through each of the finalists to make the final determinations.